1857 REVOLT-ugc

1857 REVOLT-ugc

1. It was a land mark in Indian history.

2-It was termed as first war of Independence by Savarkar.

3-But ridiculed as Sepoy Mutiny by British as only a part of central India participated in it.

4-Any way it was starting point against British Rule. Had it succeeded, there would has been a different chapter in the History of India.

5

-Previous Mutinies – Bengal 1764, Vellore 1806, 47th Regiment 1824 and 34th, 22nd, 66 and 37 native infantry in 1844, 1849, 1850 and 1852.

6-Reasons for the Revolt- It can be divided into individual Reasons and social, Economic, political and administrative Reasons

7-Individual Reasons

a) Grievance of Native Rulers – Doctrine of Lapse – Annexation of Awadh abolition of titles. Successor of Bahadur Shah would be known as princes.

b) Grievance of Sepoys – Para 2 above c)Grievance of Orthodox and conservative people – Domination of Christian missionary- abolition of Sati, widow remarriage act, protection of converts from Hinduism 1856

d)Grievance of crafts man, peasants and Zamindars Village and crap destroy, Zamindars affected by permanent settlement and strict collection of Revenue

8-Economic Causes – Heavy Taxation Borrowed from Money lenders – drain of wealth – Destruction ofvillage industries and crafts manship and permanent settlement

9-Political Cause – Subsidiary Allowance, doctrine of lapse

10-Social Cause – Conversion, Sati, Widow Re-marriage

11-Administrative Cause: Corruption

12-Immediate cause – Introduction of New Enfield Rifle in January 1867 with Greased Cartridge with fat of Cows and Pigs – Sepoys of 19th N.I. at Berhampur disobey on 26.02.1957 and Mangal Pandey of 34 N.I. at Barakpur started it.

13-Courses of Revolt

a) Beginning 10.05.1857. Sepoy at Merut started – British tried to control by declaring Bahadur Shah as Emperor of India – No effect – Massacre of British Civil Military Officers.

b) Spread – to various Places as detailed below.

14-Centres, leaders and suppression

I. Delhi – Bahadur Shah II – Arrested and deported to Rangoon

II Kanpur – Nana sahib, Tantiatope – Killed at Gwaliar III Lucknow – Begum of Awadh – defeated Bihar - Kunwar Singh

IV Jansi – Rani Lakshmi Bai – She Captured Gwaliar – Lost later

14-Reasons for failure

 a) Only Central region participated

b) Un Sympathetic attitude and Hostility of many native rulers seek non participation by Bengal, Punjab, Bombay, Madras c) Hostility of Money lenders and Merchants

e) Weakness of Revolters f)Strong British

9) Hindu Muslim unity factor – First time Witnessewd –Accepted Bahadur Shah – Sentiment of Both respected – Ban on Cow slaughter ordered – Both Hindu and Muslim were included in main positions .

15-Conclusion

 It was not successful due to factors mentioned above – yet it was starting point. It was more than Sepoy- Mutiny – Due to these there was major transformation in British policy- Try divide and rule by provoking Muslims. Above all company’s rules ended.